DAMN!
I was so pumped about this show. Unfortunately, I didn't become a club member soon enough to go to soundcheck or to the after party (was there one? where was it?). But it was incredible anyway.
I think people were sort of bummed by the fact that it wasn't an "oldies" show. But by the time the show was in it's 2nd or 3rd song. Nobody seemed to care. This is, hands down, the best band he has ever had on the road. Mr. Blackwell... we salute you!
The medley was great. It's nice to hear the old tunes that are not common to hear at the shows. "1999", "Little Red Corvette" and "Let's Go Crazy", although great tunes, were a welcomed deletion. I mean, come on, "Sometimes It Snows In April"??? I never thought I would hear that live.
This show was about the artistry, the musicianship and the sheer talent of Prince and his band. And about what happens to the audience when they're in his presence. I am sure we're "all in agreement" this show proved why he is the master.
Thank you, Prince, I still believe. I think the crowd walked away believing, too.

I agree, this concert was a refreshing change. The band is awesome, and they do work well together!
Houston lineup:
P (keys & guitar), Renato (keys), Candy (sax), Rhonda (bass), Maceo (sax), Greg Boyer (trombone), and the octopus John B. (drums).

The setlist was pretty much the same as the Atlanta show, with a few minor differences:
a) was it just me or did I hear the intro to It's Cheaper to Keep Her just before they played Other Side of the Pillow?
b) short rendition of Pass the Peas before Sing a Simple Song
c) Everlasting Now instead of Santana Medley

Encore...
No Diamonds and Pearls, The Beautiful Ones, or Anna Stesia (why no Anna Stesia, P?). He did sing Purple Rain...no instrumental this time.

Prince was really pushing the "being in agreement" theme, and I don't mean that negatively. Even more profound was his statement about how the truth should define you, instead of you trying to define the truth. Good point, P. 'Nuff said.

I have one question for the club members who were in the front row: what was going on? I've never seen so many people in the front row of a concert who were standing still! Notice no one was pulled up on stage to dance? That's because no one was dancing! What was up?

Anyway, comic relief:
a) I've heard about John B's drumstick flipping, which was phenomenal to watch. In the middle of his solo, JB stops to pull off his jacket and then does a "Morris" moment by looking in the mirror and combing his hair.
b) P did a short MJ impression on stage that got the audience laughing.
c) During Greg's trombone solo, P comes out and says "this is for the big girls. We like them too."
d) Who was that club member that P got to "moan"? That was funny!
e) P stretching out on the keys--literally--during HCUDCMA talking about the "thangs we used ta do." Lawd, have mercy!

And to the girl who gave up her front row seat for the pillows on stage...trade ya! P initially said he would give her a guitar solo, which would have been enough in my book, but then he kept her up on stage for several more numbers.

It was nice to see so much audience participation. The crowd sang almost as much as P.

Excellent all around, peeps; don't miss it. Thanks, Prince and crew, for giving so much of yourselves in the music. It shows and it's appreciated.

Peace.

RoseOfSharon said:

Nooooo! Tell me it's not true! I was so excited at the prospect of hearing Anna Stesia! Please don't tell me he's dropped this already. I'd swap PR for AS - not because it's less of a track but because I've heard PR times before, and, as Prince has said more than once at shows recently, it isn't 1984 any more. Long Live 1988, though!!!!
[This message was edited Mon Apr 15 9:17:12 PDT 2002 by themellowone]

Yeah! That was kinda odd. The front row was quiet. Didn't P. refer to it at some point? I think he did. The people in the rafters were jammin' more than the first row. Dat ain't right!
I was funny how, when the house lights were turned up, he kept looking up to his right to check out the crew in the balcony and how they were dancing in the aisles. He'd get this funny grin on his face every time he looked up there. Did anyone stick around and talk to John Blackwell? He came out after the show and was chatting with people at the edge of the stage. Then people who I assume are friends of his went on the stage and gave him a hug then went backstage with him. I couldn't get to the stage. It was too crowded.

I'm sure it meant a lot to that girl to give Prince a 5-minute story that no one else could hear, but it took up almost the entire audience Q&A! I was on the fourth row center, and I couldn't hear her. All I know about the story is that Prince feels someone owes her $3.

Prince was late because he was at the Kingdom Hall, which I guess is a JW place of worship.

The show was unbelievable. I've been following the man since I bought the original 45 of "Soft and Wet". He is hands-down the best musician I have ever heard. Every time I think I'm getting pretty good on guitar, I go see a Prince concert and he shows me how far I really have to go!

I thought the show was paced perfectly, except for "The Other Side of the Pillow". You can get from jazz to funk really well like Prince did, but a blues detour in that journey is kind of a dead-end.

The band was phenomenal. Candy Dulfer is easily the most photogenic women he's ever had in a band, but the best part about her wasn't her looks - it was her look. She was having the time of her life up there. Anyone who saw the look on her face as she was dancing during her breaks saw the look of pure joy. That's real beauty.

That's a great point about audience participation. EVERYONE seemed to know all the words to every song in the encore.

It struck me that, at this point in Prince's life, playing in front of 2,700 people who really know and appreciate your music is probably more fulfilling than playing in front of 15,000 people who are mainly there to see you because you're the flavor of the month.

the show was great! we got there about 1pm and the line was cool--everyone was nice we could go for drinks etc...when we got in, we had our choice of front row right, or middle second. we went w/ middle second directly in front of the microphone stand. prince was sitting down about 15 rows back-(i think the club only took maybe 7-8 rows?) w/ a mike-- we're looking to stage for him and all the sudden this voice--'every seat is good just sit down' i could listen to him talk for hours--i turn around and there he is (i think mani was w/ him)...
let me tell you...everyone in the sound check was LAME! 3 people got up to sing 'last december' that was ok. the girl w/ the story was about some silly 'purple curse'-- she has only gotten to 4 shows when she has had tix to 12 BLAH BLAH BLAH! someone else was rambling about 'my dad died and loved purple rain.' and lets not forget the girl 'i graduated from high school in '97 and totally look up to the song 1999--will you play that?' P-flat out said no. she starts WHINING! no wonder he spoke to us for all 5 minutes--we were nerds! and of course there is the standard dude tryng to talk to him privately and give prince some lyrics. prince just told him ' think you should keep that' then the guy asks him to autograph it and p tells him 'i quit giving autographs when i started studying the Bible' there was no after party. my boyfriend asked 'prince still do play 'starfish and coffee'?--p said 'perhaps' when he did play it later on Prince looked to him and grinned--the was complete!! i thought he might come back for a second encore b/c the house lights did not immediately come up...then about 3-5 min later lights are on, shows over--i was surprised. Prince looked HOT! his voice was great--it was an awesome show. mr.blackwell was absolutely incredible! i also enjoyed the horns. i can't say that one player was better than other--they all equally kicked ass.the front row looked like they had to be there-not that they wanted to be...no dancing nothing--i mean they sat down the whole time. so when p's stage manager(is that his title?) handed out cow bells etc...it only made sense to give them the unappreciative people in the crowd. over all it was a great day and experience. i do it again in a minute. i think the next after party will be for dallas--lucky dogs! thanks for your ear (eyes so it might be...)
[This message was edited Mon Apr 15 14:05:40 PDT 2002 by morgan622]

Yea, I don't know what was happening in the front rows. I finally just shut my eyes and let my butt swing!! Then I had to hurry up and open them again, in case I missed something.

You're right, the balcony was jamming!

Didn't get to talk with Blackwell; was talking to other people in the audience (non-orgers and non-NPGMC). They really got into the music.

Funny thing...
When the band broke into 1+1+1 is 3, I jumped out of my seat and started to dance, then realized I was the only one up in my section (this was before Prince stopped the music). Didn't stop me, though....

Okay I was front row center, and I can tell you there was no room for me to be jumping around.

Directly in front of me (at my feet) are all the guitars, auto tuning rig, box of percussion stuff, and Takumi(spelling?) the hardest working man at the concert. This guy was doing so much.

Not only does he have to give and take each guitar to Prince by jumping up and down quickly on unstable makeshift steps and instrument cases in the dark, but he also has to blindly keep turning these huge laminated song book pages that are set up at the foot of the stage, he has to methodically tune each incoming guitar and spray the fretboards, pass out the percussion... he personally helped to take out the two seats next to me to make room for a wheelchair bound girl who came in with us, deal with religious fans who are not above casually picking up Prince's guitar picks and sprays cans right in front of him, and even tell us unaware front row people to turn and look when horn players had appeared in the balconies to solo. And he did it all in a suit and with the kindest voice.

The times we did stand up, it almost seemed to distract him and he'd glance back at me, because it would be as if you were working and someone keeps standing up and breathing down your neck and almost kneeing your back.

Plus the security guy would walk by every minute on his rounds, and have to brush between me, Takumi-the guitars-and the makeshift steps leading up, and the stage.

I had a great time at this show. I was probably somewhere around the middle of the line. I was #50 on the list that they started up front. I ended up on the center of row 4. It was incredible to just be able to see everyone's faces on stage. There was so much going on between all of the band. It was a whole other element in the show to enjoy.

Some random thoughts:
1) Blackwell is the bomb. 'nuff said.
2) Ranato is a refreshing change to the band. I was very surprised at how loose P allows the band to be now. During the sound check Renato was joking around during songs by using silly sounds. You could see him cracking up over there. At one point P goes 'This ain't Halloween, Renato!".
3) Rhonda had no bass solo She did sing the Erkah Badu song, though.
4) I agree about the horns. They were having a blast and it showed.
5) Prince was not all over the place and he only wore one outfit! To me, that made the show even better. This tour is all about the music. Real music by real musicians. He didn't need to dance. The man can any certain move and the ladies lose it.
6) The ladies LOVE Adore. Two words is all it took. "Un-til the..." "AAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!" "end of time."
7) I'm happy to a Houston Prince fan. RoseofSharon is right. The crowd sang everything. He had us sing several choruses. At one point he said something like "Now, that's harmony." Every P show that I've been to here is like that.
8) As usual, he handled the preaching and history lessons gracefully. He talks of God and Jesus no differently than in 1985, in my opinion. He put it out there and it was up to everyone, individually, what they wanted to take from it.
9) Bummer, no after show or party.
10) And what was my most favorite thing about the show? No backup singers. No dancers. No backup guitar. Just a bass player, a drummer, a keryboard player, 3 horns, and P on guitar and keys. The man was all over his guitars.

I was bummed about the no after show thing, but it was cool. I didn't trust the first 2 people from the stage that told me. Then it became evident that it wasn't happening.

This may explain the lack of a second encore. I've been told that Verizon is pretty stern about shutting that place down at 11. Not sure if that is true but they were rushing us out. I stayed near the stage as long as I could after the show until they were pretty direct about me leaving. I did touch his guitars! That was cool. I also noticed that he uses the exact same analog chorus pedal that I used to use on my bass. I know that's lame but i thought it was cool.

Anyway, excellent show. It's only my 6th since 1985 but I put it right up there with ny first.

Thanx for all the reviews! But then will people stop trying to give Prince some of their tapes or lyrics? They better check out the org!

This is Kevin. I was on the 3rd row on the left side. I was the only one shakin' a AFKNAP symbol tamborine and a yellow symbol tamboracca. If you saw me, holla back @ me.
Ps. I have been going to Princr shows since Controversy 1981. ONA was the best.

SpaceCity said:

I agree!!

Man, the reviews sound great, I'm tooo excited to see the man tomarrow night in dallas,
any advice for a sista?

IWBYLOVER said:

Yea, I saw you. At first, I thought they were handing out instruments, then I realized those were yours.

starboy126 said:

Thanks for clearing that up, because I was really confused. Maybe it doesn't pay to be in the first row if you want to groove.

lizzardm00 said:

1) Dress comfy. I didn't dress to totally impress, but it was still several steps above jeans (nice pants suit). But hey, if that's what you want to wear, make it work!
2) Dress to sweat, if you like shaking yo thang, because it does get funky! Prince does a nice job of switching between grooves, so you do get to sit for a spell.
3) Comfortable shoes--no ifs, ands, or butts.
4) Have a great time!

Prince did my favorite song "I wanna be your lover" from the piano. I aint no sissy punk, but I felt like cryin'. It was that moving. I am still trippin, yall.

Sometimes It Snows in April...found myself holding my breath at the end of that one.

His falsetto voice is extremely clear.

Speaking of, who was the "moaner" in the first row? Cmon, 'fess up! You did great!

No dancin' in the front row? I did my best white man's overbite...Ain't that good enough? Maybe next time I'll be next to someone who can show me how to bring out the funk!

Seriously though, it was a little tight in the front row toward the center of the stage (my girl and I were right in front of the steps when they moved them - a seat or two away from starboy126), and security did keep making the rounds (including a "bouncer"with a Texas sized attitude in a Rhode Island sized body who was manning the stage steps for the last 15 or 20 minutes). Still, the only time the people on our side of the stage (including the lucky pillow girl) sat down and stopped movin' was at the behest of the per4mer.

In spite of the lack of funky dancing, it was a great show...tight band (I refuse to single out only 1), and how many times is Prince gonna ask me my "Family Name?"

One last comment to the 1987 girl who gave the 1999 speech at the sound check...I can certainly appreciate your love of the old tunes, but I thought that anyone who joined the NPGMC knew what page Prince is on these days. Even if you don't agree with it, don't go to the man's show and give him lip about only doin' new stuff! - I know your heart is in the right place though...

See y'all next time around...and hopefully at an after show!

yea the first row was kinda like more concerned with being cool..i was in the sec row and me and my girl jammed...yes it was me barking like a dog....got to sound check at 1 and chilled ..i took one of the hard rock cafe chairs and sat down..had a few drink and chating with the npg folks around me..i had my celebration tag on and that started alot of conversations,,but i had agood time..not really mad about the after aprty after 5 hours in line 4 hours of music..iwas tired and had to get up at 5 the next day,,,so i was cool with that.so i guess i see prince at the celebration..oh did yall see the 1999 speech girl go bezerk when she didnt get seat

Lizzard...

Expect the unexpected. And go with no preconceptions about what you are about to see. Prince has never been this laid back this... well... still. And yet he is more funky, talented and comfortable than I have ever seen him. He is in it for the sheer joy of making music and making you and every other fan happy to be alive and at his show and in "agreement" with everyone.

Prince, seems to be very happy at this point in his career and I am very happy for him.

"My name Prince and I am funky!!!!"

don't worry....Anna Stesia will make an appearance....he doesn't play it every time though

CAN SOMEONE ELABORATE ON THE "MOANING"? lol.

salaciousV said:

moaning!:O

didn't he ban that too??

lizzardm00 said:

1) Think of all the ways in which this night would be perfect in your eyes....then hold Prince personally responsible if it doesn't turn out exactly that way...

2) Ask Prince at the sound check if he validates parking...if he says no, come back to P.org and write a lengthy thread about how arrogant and rude Prince is to his "loyal fans"...

3) No matter what, cry.....

4) Look for reasons to dislike both the sound check and the concert...Music was too loud, music wasn't loud enough, the guy next to you smelled funny, the restroom was out of paper towels--anything you can find to help ruin your mood....oh, and remember to blame Prince for all of it...

5) Take CJ's cell phone number with you so that you can immediately report any and all things negative about Prince while it's still fresh in your mind...


If you do these things, I'm positive you'll be a much happier person... 8)




.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 15 20:57:06 PDT 2002 by wellbeyond]

salaciousV said:

Yea, that & the MJ impression! LOL!!!

I'll try to remember in which two songs the MJ impression and the moan occurred...it's a little fuzzy right now.

Was it Everlasting Now? It was toward the end. Before the encore.